Chalcogenide-based electrokinetic memory element and method of forming the same

ABSTRACT

Memory elements including a first electrode and a second electrode. A chalcogenide material layer is between the first and second electrodes and a tin-chalcogenide layer is between the chalcogenide material layer and the second electrode. A selenide layer is between the tin-chalcogenide layer and the chalcogenide material layer. Optionally, a metal layer, for example a silver layer, is between the tin-chalcogenide layer and the second electrode. Methods for forming the memory elements are also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of random access memory (RAM) devices formed using a resistance variable material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Resistance variable memory elements, which include electrokinetic memory elements using chalcogenides, have been investigated for suitability as semi-volatile and non-volatile random access memory devices. A typical chalcogenide resistance variable memory element is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,348,365 to Moore and Gilton.

In a typical chalcogenide resistance variable memory element, a conductive material, for example, silver, tin and copper, is incorporated into a chalcogenide glass. The resistance of the chalcogenide glass can be programmed to stable higher resistance and lower resistance states. An unprogrammed chalcogenide variable resistance element is normally in a higher resistance state. A write operation programs the element to a lower resistance state by applying a voltage potential across the chalcogenide glass and forming a conductive pathway. The element may then be read by applying a voltage pulse of a lesser magnitude than required to program it; the resistance across the memory device is then sensed as higher or lower to define two logic states.

The programmed lower resistance state of a chalcogenide variable resistance element can remain intact for an extended period of time, typically ranging from hours to weeks, after the voltage potentials are removed; however, some refreshing may be useful. The element can be returned to its higher resistance state by applying a reverse voltage potential of about the same order of magnitude as used to write the device to the lower resistance state. Again, the higher resistance state is maintained in a semi- or non-volatile manner once the voltage potential is removed. In this way, such an element can function as a semi- or non-volatile variable resistance memory having at least two resistance states, which can define two respective logic states, i.e., at least a bit of data.

One exemplary chalcogenide resistance variable device uses a germanium selenide (i.e., Ge_(x)Se_(100−x)) chalcogenide glass as a backbone. The germanium selenide glass has, in the prior art, incorporated silver (Ag) and silver selenide (Ag_(2+/−x)Se) layers between first and second electrodes in the memory element. Such elements are programmed by applying a sufficient voltage across electrodes to cause the formation of a conductive path between the two electrodes by virtue of a conductor (i.e., such as silver) that is present in metal ion laced glass backbone.

Although the silver-chalcogenide materials are suitable for assisting in the formation of a conductive channel through the chalcogenide glass layer for silver ions to move into, other non-silver-based chalcogenide materials may be desirable because of certain disadvantages associated with silver use. For example, use of silver-containing compounds/alloys such as Ag₂Se may lead to agglomeration problems in the electrokinetic memory device layering and Ag-chalcogenide-based devices cannot withstand higher processing temperatures, e.g., approaching 260° C. and higher. Tin (Sn) has a reduced thermal mobility in Ge_(x)Se_(100−x) compared to silver and the tin-chalcogenides are less toxic than the silver-chalcogenides.

Research has been conducted into the use of thin films of SnSe (tin selenide) as switching devices under the application of a voltage potential across the film. It has been found that a b 580 Å SnSe film shows non-volatile switching between a higher resistance state (measurable in MOhm) and a lower resistance state (measurable in kOhm) when potentials of 5-15 V are applied by forming an Sn-rich material (e.g., a dendrite). Also, the addition of Sn to a Ge_(x)Se_(100−x) glass, which is a chalcogenide glass, has been found to produce memory switching if a high enough potential, e.g., >40 V, is applied across the chalcogenide glass. However, such switching potentials are too high for a viable memory device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide memory elements, which have first and second electrodes. A chalcogenide material layer is between the first and second electrodes and a tin-chalcogenide layer is between the chalcogenide material layer and the second electrode. A selenide layer is between the tin-chalcogenide layer and the chalcogenide material layer. Optionally, a metal layer, for example a silver layer, is between the tin-chalcogenide layer and the second electrode. Methods for forming the memory elements are also provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of a memory element according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2D depict the formation of the memory element of FIG. 1 at different stages of processing; and

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate cross sectional views of memory elements according to other exemplary embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system including a memory element according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to various specific embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are described with sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be employed, and that various structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

The term “substrate” used in the following description may include any supporting structure including, but not limited to, a semiconductor substrate that has an exposed substrate surface. A semiconductor substrate should be understood to include silicon-on-insulator (SOI), silicon-on-sapphire (SOS), doped and undoped semiconductors, epitaxial layers of silicon supported by a base semiconductor foundation, and other semiconductor structures. When reference is made to a semiconductor substrate or wafer in the following description, previous process steps may have been utilized to form regions or junctions in or over the base semiconductor or foundation. The substrate need not be semiconductor-based, but may be any support structure suitable for supporting an integrated circuit, including, but not limited to, metals, alloys, glasses, polymers, ceramics, and any other supportive materials as is known in the art.

The invention is now explained with reference to the figures, which illustrate exemplary embodiments and throughout which like reference numbers indicate like features. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a memory element 100 constructed in accordance with the invention. The element 100 shown in FIG. 1 is supported by a substrate 10. Over the substrate 10, though not necessarily directly so, is a conductive address line 12, which serves as an interconnect for the element 100 shown and a plurality of other similar devices of a portion of a memory array of which the shown element 100 is a part. It is possible to incorporate an optional insulating layer 11 between the substrate 10 and address line 12, and this may be preferred if the substrate 10 is semiconductor-based. The conductive address line 12 can be any material known in the art as being useful for providing an interconnect line, such as doped polysilicon, silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), tungsten (W), nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), titanium (Ti), and other materials. Over the address line 12 is a first electrode 16, which is defined within an insulating layer 14, which is also over the address line 12. This electrode 16 can be any conductive material that will not migrate into the layer 18 (described below), but is preferably tungsten (W). The insulating layer 14 can be, for example, silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), a low dielectric constant material, an insulating glass, or an insulating polymer, but is not limited to such materials.

The memory element 100 (i.e., the portion which stores information) is formed over the first electrode 16. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a chalcogenide material layer 18, for example, germanium selenide (Ge_(x)Se_(100−x)) is provided over the first electrode 16. The germanium selenide may be within a stoichiometric range of about Ge₃₃Se₆₇ to about Ge₆₀Se₄₀. The chalcogenide material layer 18 may be between about 100 Å and about 1000 Å thick. Layer 18 need not be a single layer, but may also be comprised of multiple chalcogenide sub-layers having the same or different stoichiometries. The chalcogenide material layer 18 is in electrical contact with the underlying electrode 16.

Over the chalcogenide material layer 18 is a layer 19 of selenide. Preferably, the selenide layer 19 has a thickness within the range of between about 100 Å and about 300 Å thick. Over the selenide layer 19 is a tin-chalcogenide layer 20, for example tin selenide (Sn_(1+/−x)Se, where x is between about 1 and 0). In the illustrated embodiment, the tin-chalcogenide layer 20 is a sputtered layer. If desired, the tin-chalcogenide layer 20 can be formed by other techniques. It is also possible that other chalcogenide materials may be substituted for selenium in the tin-chalcogenide layer 20, such as sulfur, oxygen, or tellurium. The tin-chalcogenide layer 20 may be about 400 Å to about 1000 Å thick.

Still referring to FIG. 1, an optional metal layer 22 is provided over the tin-chalcogenide layer 20, with silver (Ag) being the exemplary metal. This metal layer 22 is between about 300 Å and about 500 Å thick. Over the metal layer 22 is a second electrode 24. The second electrode 24 can be made of the same material as the first electrode 16, but is not required to be so. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the second electrode 24 is preferably tungsten (W). The element 100 may be isolated by an insulating layer 26.

While the invention is not to be bound by any specific theory, it is believed that in a completed memory element 100, the tin-chalcogenide layer 20 provides a source of tin-selenide, which is incorporated into chalcogenide glass layer 18 at a conditioning step after formation of the memory element 100. Specifically, the conditioning step comprises applying a potential across the memory element structure of the element 100 such that tin selenide from the tin-chalcogenide layer 20 is incorporated into the chalcogenide glass layer 18, thereby forming a conducting channel through the chalcogenide glass layer 18. Movement of silver ions into or out of that conducting channel during subsequent programming forms a conductive pathway, which causes a detectible resistance change across the memory element 100.

Applicant has found that including the selenide layer 19 between the chalcogenide glass layer 18 and the tin-selenide layer 20 can provide certain advantages, particularly where the tin-selenide layer 20 is a sputtered layer. Sputtered tin-selenide layers show increased vulnerability to silver migration. A sputtered tin-selenide layer is crystalline. Silver more easily migrates through the crystalline material to undesirably diffuse in to the chalcogenide glass layer 18. In the present invention, the selenide layer 19, which is amorphous, between the chalcogenide layer 18 and the tin-selenide layer 20 better prevents silver migration into the chalcogenide glass layer 18. Specifically, the selenide layer 19 serves as a holding place for silver. Additionally, some reaction between the selenide layer 19 and silver will occur to form silver-selenide (not shown). Silver-selenide in contact with the chalcogenide glass layer 18 is desirable for good switching characteristics of the element 100.

Also, use of a tin-chalcogenide layer, such as layer 20 in this and other embodiments of the invention, offers improved temperature stability for the resulting element 100. For example, elements incorporating a tin-chalcogenide layer in accordance with the invention have been shown to function at temperatures of approximately 200° C. and can have a temperature tolerance in excess of approximately 300° C., which elements utilizing a chalcogenide glass and silver-containing layers cannot withstand.

FIGS. 2A-2D are cross sectional views of a wafer in various stages of fabrication depicting the formation of the memory element 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. No particular order is required for any of the actions described herein, except for those logically requiring the results of prior actions. Accordingly, while the actions below are described as being performed in a general order, the order is exemplary only and can be altered if desired. Although the formation of a single memory element 100 is shown, it should be appreciated that the memory element 100 can be one memory element in an array of memory elements, which can be formed concurrently.

As shown by FIG. 2A, a substrate 10 is initially provided. As indicated above, the substrate 10 can be semiconductor-based or another material useful as a supporting structure. If desired, an optional insulating layer 11 may be formed over the substrate 10. The optional insulating layer 11 may be silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or other insulating materials. Over the substrate 10 (and optional insulating layer 11, if desired), the conductive address line 12 is formed by depositing a conductive material, such as doped polysilicon, aluminum, platinum, silver, gold, nickel, titanium, but preferably tungsten. The conductive material is patterned, for instance with photolithographic techniques, and etched to define the address line 12. The conductive material maybe deposited by any technique known in the art, such as sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, evaporation, or plating.

An insulating layer 14 is formed over the address line 12. The insulating layer 14 can be silicon nitride, a low dielectric constant material, or other insulators known in the art, and may be formed by any known method. Preferably, the insulating layer 14 (e.g., silicon nitride) does not allow tin ion migration. An opening 14 a in the insulating layer 14 is made, for instance by photolithographic and etching techniques, exposing a portion of the underlying address line 12. A first electrode 16 is formed within the opening 14 a, by forming a layer of conductive material over the insulating layer 14 and in the opening 14 a. A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) step is performed to remove the conductive material from over the insulating layer 14. Desirably, the first electrode 16 is formed of tungsten, but any suitable conductive material that will not migrate into the layer 18 can be used.

As shown in FIG. 2B, a chalcogenide material layer 18 is formed over the first electrode 16 and insulating layer 14. Formation of the chalcogenide material layer 18 may be accomplished by any suitable method, for example, by sputtering. The chalcogenide material layer 18 is formed, for example, to a thickness between about 100 Å and about 1000 Å.

A selenide layer 19 is formed over the chalcogenide material layer 18. The selenide layer 19 can be formed by any suitable method and is preferably formed having a thickness within the range of about 100 Å to about 300 Å.

A tin-chalcogenide layer 20 is formed over the selenide layer 19. The layer 20 can be formed by any suitable method, and is preferably formed by sputtering. The tin-chalcogenide layer 20 is formed to a thickness of, for example, between about 400 Å to about 1000 Å thick.

Optionally, a metal layer 22 is formed over the tin-chalcogenide layer 20. The metal layer 22 is preferably silver (Ag), or at least contains silver, and is formed to a preferred thickness of 300 Å to about 500 Å. The metal layer 22 may be deposited by any technique known in the art.

A conductive material is deposited over the metal layer 22 to form a second electrode 24. Similar to the first electrode 16, the conductive material for the second electrode 24 may be any material suitable for a conductive electrode. In one exemplary embodiment the second electrode 24 is tungsten.

Referring to FIG. 2C, a layer of photoresist 30 is deposited over the second electrode 24 layer, masked and patterned to define a stack 33 of the memory element 100. An etching step is used to remove portions of the layers 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, with the insulating layer 14 used as an etch stop, leaving stack 33 as shown in FIG. 2C. The photoresist 30 is removed, leaving the structure shown in FIG. 2D.

An insulating layer 26 is formed over the stack 33 and insulating layer 14 to achieve the structure shown in FIG. 1. This isolation step can be followed by the forming of connections from the defined memory cell electrodes 16, 24 to other circuitry of the integrated circuit (e.g., logic circuitry, sense amplifiers, etc.) of which the memory element 100 is a part.

FIG. 3 shows a memory element 300 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. In memory element 300, the address line 12 can also serve as the first electrode 16 and is denoted 12/16 in FIG. 3. In such a case, the formation of the separate first electrode 16 is omitted.

FIG. 4 illustrates a memory element 400 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The memory element 400 is predominantly defined by the position of the second electrode 24. The layers 18, 19, 20, 22 of the memory element 400 are blanket layers formed over a combined address line and electrode structure 12/16. Alternatively, a first electrode 16 that is separate from an underlying address line 12 can be used, as shown in memory element 100 (FIG. 1). In FIG. 4, the second electrode 24 is shown perpendicular to the plane of the page and the address line and electrode structure 12/16 is shown parallel to the plane of the page.

The location where the second electrode 24 is directly over the address line and electrode structure 12/16 defines the position of the conductive pathway formed during operation of the memory element 400. In this way, the second electrode 24 defines the location of the memory element 400.

FIG. 5 illustrates a memory element 500 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated memory element 500, the chalcogenide material (or germanium), tin-chalcogenide, and optional metal layers 18, 19, 20, 22 are formed in a via 28. The via 28 is formed in an insulating layer 14 over a combined address line and electrode structure 12/16. Layers 18, 19, 20, as well as the second electrode 24, are conformally deposited over the insulating layer 14 and within the via 28. Layers 18, 19, 20, 22, and electrode 24 are patterned to define a stack over the via 28, which is etched to form the completed memory element 500. Alternatively, a first electrode 16 that is separate from the underlying address line 12 can be used. Such a separate electrode 16 can be formed in the via 28 prior to the formation of the chalcogenide material (or germanium) layer 18.

The embodiments described above refer to the formation of only a few possible resistance variable memory element structures in accordance with the invention, which may be part of a memory array. It must be understood, however, that the invention contemplates the formation of other memory structures within the spirit of the invention, which can be fabricated as a memory array and operated with memory element access circuits.

FIG. 6 illustrates a processor system 600 that includes a memory circuit 648, e.g., a memory device, which employs resistance variable memory elements (e.g., elements 100, 300, 400, and/or 500) according to the invention. The processor system 600, which can be, for example, a computer system, generally comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 644, such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, or other programmable digital logic devices, which communicates with an input/output (I/O) device 646 over a bus 652. The memory circuit 648 communicates with the CPU 644 over bus 652 typically through a memory controller.

In the case of a computer system, the processor system 600 may include peripheral devices such as a floppy disk drive 654 and a compact disc (CD) ROM drive 656, which also communicate with CPU 644 over the bus 652. Memory circuit 648 is preferably constructed as an integrated circuit, which includes one or more resistance variable memory elements, e.g., elements 100 (FIG. 1). If desired, the memory circuit 648 may be combined with the processor, for example CPU 644, in a single integrated circuit.

The above description and drawings are only to be considered illustrative of exemplary embodiments, which achieve the features and advantages of the present invention. Modification and substitutions to specific process conditions and structures can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description and drawings, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims. What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is: 

1. A memory element comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; a chalcogenide material layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; a tin-chalcogenide layer between the chalcogenide material layer and the second electrode; and a selenide layer between the tin-chalcogenide layer and the chalcogenide material layer.
 2. The memory element of claim 1, wherein the chalcogenide material layer comprises a chalcogenide glass.
 3. The memory element of claim 1, wherein the chalcogenide material layer comprises germanium telluride.
 4. The memory element of claim 1, wherein the material layer comprises Ge_(x)Se_(100−x).
 5. The memory element of claim 1, further comprising a metal layer between the tin-chalcogenide layer and the second electrode.
 6. The memory element of claim 5, wherein the metal layer comprises silver.
 7. The memory element of claim 1, wherein the tin-chalcogenide layer comprises tin-telluride.
 8. The memory element of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises tungsten.
 9. The memory element of claim 1, wherein the second electrode comprises silver.
 10. The memory element of claim 1, wherein the chalcogenide material layer and the tin-chalcogenide layer are provided within a via in an insulating layer.
 11. The memory element of claim 1, wherein the chalcogenide material layer and the tin-chalcogenide layer are blanket layers over a substrate, and wherein the second electrode defines the location of a memory element.
 12. The memory element of claim 1, wherein the selenide layer has a thickness between about 100 Å and about 300 Å.
 13. The memory element of claim 1, wherein the tin-chalcogenide layer has a thickness between about 400 Å and about 1000 Å.
 14. The memory element of claim 1, wherein the chalcogenide material layer has a thickness between about 100 Å and about 1000 Å.
 15. The memory element of claim 1, wherein the tin-chalcogenide layer is a sputtered layer.
 16. A memory device, comprising: an array of memory elements, at least one memory element comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; a chalcogenide material layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; a tin-chalcogenide layer between the chalcogenide material layer and the second electrode; and a selenide layer between the tin-chalcogenide layer and the chalcogenide material layer.
 17. The memory device of claim 16, further comprising a metal layer between the tin-chalcogenide layer and the second electrode.
 18. The memory device of claim 16, wherein the tin-chalcogenide layer is a sputtered layer.
 19. A memory array, comprising: a plurality of memory elements over a substrate, each memory element comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; a chalcogenide material layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; a tin-chalcogenide layer between the chalcogenide material layer and the second electrode; and a selenide layer between the tin-chalcogenide layer and the chalcogenide material layer.
 20. The memory array of claim 19, wherein the metal layer comprises silver.
 21. The memory array of claim 19, wherein the tin-chalcogenide layer is a sputtered layer.
 22. A processor system, comprising: a processor; and a memory device comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; a chalcogenide material layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; a tin-chalcogenide layer between the chalcogenide material layer and the second electrode; and a selenide layer between the tin-chalcogenide layer and the chalcogenide material layer.
 23. The processor system of claim 22, wherein the material layer comprises a chalcogenide glass.
 24. The processor system of claim 22, further comprising a metal layer between the tin-chalcogenide layer and the second electrode.
 25. The processor system of claim 24, wherein the metal layer comprises silver.
 26. The memory element of claim 22, wherein the tin-chalcogenide layer is a sputtered layer.
 27. A method of forming a memory element, the method comprising the acts of: forming a first electrode; forming a second electrode; forming a chalcogenide material layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; forming a tin-chalcogenide layer between the chalcogenide material layer and the second electrode; and forming a selenide layer between the tin-chalcogenide layer and the chalcogenide material layer.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the act of forming chalcogenide material layer comprises forming a chalcogenide glass layer.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the act of forming the chalcogenide material layer comprises forming a germanium telluride layer.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein the act of forming the chalcogenide material layer comprises forming a Ge_(x)Se_(100−x) layer.
 31. The method of claim 27, further comprising the act of forming a metal layer between the tin-chalcogenide layer and the second electrode.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the act of forming the metal layer comprises forming a silver layer.
 33. The method of claim 27, wherein the act of forming the tin-chalcogenide layer comprises forming a tin-telluride layer.
 34. The method of claim 27, wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes is formed comprising tungsten.
 35. The method of claim 27, wherein the second electrode is formed comprising silver.
 36. The method of claim 27, wherein the chalcogenide material layer and the tin-chalcogenide layer are formed within a via in an insulating layer.
 37. The method of claim 27, wherein the chalcogenide material layer and the tin-chalcogenide layer are formed as blanket layers over a substrate, and wherein the second electrode is formed to define the location of the memory element.
 38. The method of claim 27, wherein the selenide layer is formed having a thickness between about 100 Å and about 300 Å.
 39. The method of claim 27, wherein the tin-chalcogenide layer is formed having a thickness between about 400 Å and about 1000 Å.
 40. The method of claim 27, wherein the chalcogenide material layer is formed having a thickness between about 100 Å and about 1000 Å.
 41. The method of claim 27, wherein the tin-chalcogenide layer is formed by sputtering.
 42. A method of forming a memory element, the method comprising the acts of: forming a first electrode over a substrate; forming a chalcogenide material layer over the first electrode; forming a selenide layer over the chalcogenide material layer; forming a tin-chalcogenide layer over the selenide layer; forming a silver layer over the tin-chalcogenide layer; and forming a second electrode over the silver layer.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the tin-chalcogenide layer is formed by sputtering. 